John Carmichael (Scientologist)

Infobox_Person
name = John Carmichael


image_width = 200px
birth_place = United States
birth_date = 1947
caption =
death_date =
death_place =
residence = New York
citizenship = United States
nationality = American
religion = Scientology
employer = Church of Scientology International
spouse =
children = 1

John Carmichael (born 1947) is president of the Church of Scientology organization in New York. Carmichael was born a Presbyterian and became involved in Scientology after reading the book "" while attending Cornell University. He became an ordained minister with the Church of Scientology in 1973, and in 1985 he headed the organization's operations in the State of Oregon. He has served as the President of the Church of Scientology of New York since 1987. In 1993 Carmichael was New York Contributing Editor to the Church of Scientology's publication: Freedom Magazine. Carmichael supervised the efforts of the Church of Scientology's Volunteer Ministers group at Ground Zero after 9/11. In 2002 he received the Church of Scientology's "IAS Freedom Valor medal".

He is the public affairs director for the Church of Scientology in New York, and represents 12 Scientology organizations in New Jersey and New York. In this capacity, he has represented the Church of Scientology in inquiries about a musical parodying the organization, "A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant", and has defended the value of the Scientology clinic Downtown Medical in statements to New York City Council member Peter Vallone, Jr. In 2008 he interacted with anti-Scientology protesters from the group Anonymous in New York.

Career

Early work in Scientology

Carmichael was born a Presbyterian, and grew up in Florida and Illinois.cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9805E4DF103BF933A1575AC0A9679C8B63|title=Changed Lives - Religious Leader Takes His Calling to Ground Zero|The New York Times|publisher=The New York Times Company|accessdate=2008-06-08|date=September 20, 2001|last=Waldman|first=Amy|page=A22] He began to learn about Scientology after reading "" while attending college at Cornell University, and became an ordained minister with the Church of Scientology in 1973. In 1985, he was President of the Scientology mission in Portland, Oregon, [cite news | last =Applegate | first =Howard (United Press International) | coauthors = | title =Scientology Rally Begins In Portland | work =The Philadelphia Inquirer | page =A02 | date =May 20, 1985 ] [cite web
url=http://newspapers.umsystem.edu/default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?BaseHRef=CMN/1985/05/20&EntityId=Ar00201&Skin=Google&ViewMode=GIF
title=Scientologists protest verdict $39 million fraud award prompts rally
work=Columbia Missourian|publisher=University of Missouri|date=May 20, 1985|accessdate=2008-06-08|last=United Press International] and also head of the Church of Scientology's operations in the State of Oregon. [cite news | last =Pesarchick | first=Mike|title =Angry Church | work =The Orlando Sentinel | page =A6 | publisher =Sentinel Communications Co. | date =May 20, 1985 ] [cite news | last =Associated Press | title =Scientologists Protest Fraud Ruling | work =San Francisco Chronicle | page =5 | date =May 20, 1985 ]

President of the Church of Scientology of New York

Carmichael has served as the President of the Church of Scientology of New York since 1987, [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE4D8113FF935A35753C1A961948260|title=Defendant in Park Murder Tried to Join Scientologists|work=The New York Times|publisher=The New York Times Company|accessdate=2008-06-08|date=October 6, 1987|last=Barron|first=James] and has performed work for the Church of Scientology in San Francisco, California, Paris, France, and Munich, Germany. He serves as the Church of Scientology's New York public affairs director, [cite news | last =Koch | first =John | title =Steve Hassan's War on Cults The Ex-Moonie Says the Groups Have Become More Menacing As They Have Gone Mainstream | work =The Boston Globe | page =E1 | date =February 4, 1997 ] representing 12 Scientology organizations in New Jersey and New York, [cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/fashion/weddings/12field.html|title=For Mrs. Cruise, Perhaps a Cat|work=The New York Times|publisher=The New York Times Company|accessdate=2008-06-08|date=November 12, 2006|last=Brozan|first=Nadine] and is a regional spokesperson for Scientology. [cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19971228&slug=2580409|title=Church Of Scientology Hits Critics Where They Live|work=The Seattle Times|publisher=The Seattle Times Company|accessdate=2008-06-08|date=December 28, 1997|last=O'Reilly|first=David] In 1993 Carmichael was New York Contributing Editor to the Church of Scientology's publication: "Freedom Magazine". [cite news | last =Carmichael | first =John (Letter to the Editor) | title =Reviewer took a leap of illogic over `Wild Palms' | work =The Washington Times | page =F2 | publisher =News World Communications | date =May 25, 1993 ]

Carmichael oversaw efforts of the Church of Scientology's Volunteer Ministers group at Ground Zero after 9/11.cite news | last =Stern | first =Gary | title =Scientology outreach criticized | work =The Journal News | page =1A | date =March 5, 2002 ] "The overall purpose of Scientology is to create a better world. By getting volunteers out in the community, helping individuals one-on-one, that's one way we can do it," said Carmichael in an interview with "The Journal News" about the Church of Scientology's activities at Ground Zero. He appeared on a special FOX News program "Attack on America" on September 16, 2001, explaining to corespondent Rick Leventhal activities of members of the Church of Scientology at the Ground Zero work site. [cite news | last =Asman, David | coauthors =Rick Leventhal | title =Attack on America | work =FOX News|publisher=FOX News Network, LLC | date =September 16, 2001 ] In 2002, Carmichael was recognized for his efforts by being named as a recipient of the Church of Scientology's "IAS Freedom Valor medal". [cite news|author=Staff writer|title=IAS Recipients 2002|work=Impact Magazine|date=December 2, 2002] In 2006, Carmichael heard about a musical which was in production in New York City which parodied Scientology called: "A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant".cite news | last =Beggy | first =Carol | coauthors =Mark Shanahan | title = A different kind of Scientology pageant | work =The Boston Globe | page =5C | date =November 20, 2006 ] He showed up unannounced to a rehearsal of the play to complain, and also sent a letter to the playwright Kyle Jarrow.

In 2007 Carmichael sent a letter to New York City Council member Peter Vallone, Jr. after Vallone was quoted in the "New York Post" referring to Scientology as a "cult". [cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/04192007/news/regionalnews/mike_thumps_tom_regionalnews_david_seifman_______city_hall_bureau_chief.htm|title=MIKE THUMPS TOM|publisher=NYP Holdings, Inc|work=New York Post|date=April 19, 2007|accessdate=2008-06-08|last=Seifman|first=David] Vallone had questioned the scientific value of the Scientology clinic Downtown Medical, also known as the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, saying: "No responsible elected official would ever back this. We should not be conferring legitimacy on a cult." [cite web|url=http://www.nypress.com/20/22/news&columns/feature.cfm|title=The Rundown on Scientology’s Purification Rundown|work=New York Press|publisher=www.nypress.com|accessdate=2008-06-08|last=DeSio|first=John] Vallone responded to Carmichael's letter with one of his own, in which he questions the "very troubling history" of Scientology and responded to points raised by Carmichael. [cite web|url=http://www.nypress.com/blogx/display_blog.cfm?bid=90493823&day=31&startmonth=5&startyear=2007|title= Vallone's Letter To Scientology|work=New York Press|date=May 31, 2007|publisher=www.nypress.com|accessdate=2008-06-08|last=DeSio|first=John]

In November 2007, Carmichael was one of a group of Scientologists invited by Tom Cruise to attend a private screening of the film "Lions for Lambs", along with other stars of the film and their guests. [cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,308136,00.html|title=Tom Cruise Rewards Scientology Honchos|publisher=FOX News Network, LLC|work=FOX News|accessdate=2008-06-08|date=November 6, 2007|last=Friedman|first=Roger] In May 2008 near a Church of Scientology building in New York City where Carmichael was taunted by anti-Scientology protesters from the group Anonymous with calls to take "your spaceship and go away!" he said to an individual protester "Let me tell you this: I smell pussy. You in particular."cite web|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2008/05/ny_scientology.php|work=Runnin' Scared|title=NY Scientology Chief: "I Smell Pussy"|publisher=The Village Voice|accessdate=2008-06-06|date=May 28, 2008|last=Giove|first=Candice M.] cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0822,jason-beghe-turn,457606,2.html/full|title=Jason Beghe Turned Away at NY Scientology Building|publisher=Village Voice Media|work=The Village Voice|accessdate=2008-06-08|date=May 27, 2008|last=Ortega|first=Tony]

References

External Links

* [http://www.scientology-newyork.org Scientology NYC Organization Homepage]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5098221344273546684 Leo J Ryan Conference - John Carmichael attends Part 1]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2586839715569274412 Leo J Ryan Conference - John Carmichael attends Part 2]